By XAVIER SMERDON
UP TO 50,000 people are expected to flock to Point Cook this weekend to help celebrate the suburb’s place in Australia’s military history.
This Saturday will mark exactly 100 years since Lieutenant Eric Harrison flew a Bristol Box Kite aircraft at the Point Cook airfield and entered himself into the history books.
It was the first flight of an Australian military aircraft and signified the beginning of what would become 100 years of military aviation in the country.
Air Commodore Phil Byrne, the head of special events at the Royal Australian Air Force, told Star the number of tickets to the event had been limited and 50,000 people were likely to make the journey to the Point Cook airbase.
“This marks an extremely important occasion in Australia’s military history,” Air Comm Byrne said.
“This is not the biggest event we’ve ever organised but it is certainly the most significant.”
Air Comm Byrne said the event would show the history, evolution and future of the Australian air force, with everything from a Bristol Box Kite to unmanned drones.
Air Comm Byrne said Point Cook would forever be considered home of military aviation in Australia.
Everyone who buys a ticket to the two-day event will also receive free public transport within Melbourne and Air Comm Byrne encouraged people attending to avoid bringing their car.
The Centenary of Military Aviation Air Show will be held 1 to 2 March 2014 at RAAF Williams, Point Cook.
For more information visit www.airforce.gov.au
